Upon hearing his uncle's words, Zhang Yuanqing had a sudden insight. "You mean the Church's treasure vault is similar to the Deep Realm within the 'Five Elements Secret' quest?" The Chairman chuckled. "The situations in both quests are exactly the same." Zhang Yuanqing smiled in agreement. "Indeed, even if we empty the vault completely, the Spiritual Realm shows no reaction." Both the 'Five Elements Secret' and the Deep Realm are Level 7 S-stage quests, each concealing powers at the half-deity level. Yet when Zhang Yuanqing opened the entrance to the Deep Realm and encountered the Unfavorable Commander, retrieved the key fragments from the soldier's pocket, the Spiritual Realm remained completely unresponsive. This is because the 'Five Elements Secret' quest was formed due to the presence of the Unfavorable Commander within the Deep Realm, but the Commander himself is not part of the quest's structure—neither a core mission nor a hidden storyline. Likewise, the 'Knight's Dusk' quest originated from the Church's treasure vault, but the vault itself is not part of the quest. Any actions taken upon the vault will not affect the operation of the quest. Therefore, the Spiritual Realm offers no penalties. Zhai Cai glanced at Yuan Shi Tian Zun, then at the chairman, clapped his hands twice: "Although I didn't quite understand what was said, it seems the issue has been resolved." The chairman placed both hands on the two of them, thought for a moment, then withdrew one hand and said, "Hold hands." Zhai Cai and Zhang Yuanqing reluctantly linked arms. The chairman nodded contentedly, raised the hand that had been freed, and gave a sharp clap: "Exiled!" The three disappeared without any ripple of spiritual energy or spatial disturbance. The onlookers around them completely ignored them, as if they had never appeared at all. When he looked around again, he found himself in a ruin—no, more precisely, a city of ruins. As a fan of European dramas, Zhang Yuanqing immediately recognized it as a city from early 20th-century Europe, consistent with the timeline of the fall of the Papal Court, which occurred during the outbreak of World War I. Seventy percent of the city's buildings have been reduced to ruins, and even those that remain standing show clear signs of blackened scorches, creating a scene of utter desolation. It seems even the dogs have perished. In the distance, spires of historic churches rise prominently, their grand bell towers standing out like beacons. "The city's inhabitants have evacuated, and the enemy forces have chosen to withdraw for special reasons, leaving the city unoccupied," said Zhai Cai. "Ordinary people are unwilling to enter the battlefield between the spiritual travelers." Zhang Yuanqing expressed cautious concern: "Could there be any magical seedlings emerging here? After all, I have some connection with that person." Zhai Cai shook her head: "The highest combat power in this realm is the Red Robe Archbishop Grésava, a late-level Thunder Mage of Rank 8. The Pope, the Red Robe Archbishops, and the Holy Knights are essentially background figures. I've never personally seen the Pope or the Archbishop, though I frequently encounter the Holy Knights. I haven't witnessed any of them in action, so I'm uncertain whether they possess half-divine combat strength." In the actual historical account, the fall of the Papal Court involved the demise of several half-gods, and indeed more than one. But here, in this replica world, the story concludes once the Spirit-Realm Travelers complete their main quest and exit.翟菜 has never personally witnessed the half-god battles in real history, and thus is uncertain whether this replica has reenacted that historical moment. Theoretically, it's unlikely. 】 【Note 1: It is one of the components of the Explorer's Set; the remaining two pieces are the robe and boots. Once you collect all three, the world is yours to explore.】 【Note 2: After each use, you will be forgotten by people around you within five hours.】 The President said, "This was the set I collected when I was young. Now I no longer use it..." "So you're giving it to us?" Zhai Cai looked full of excitement. "Not on loan," the President scoffed. "I value things that have meaning. Though I no longer use them, I can keep them as a memento. Back then, to secure the Light Compass, I spent years and nearly depleted my entire family fortune just to recover these items." What a wonderful piece—though not exactly invisible, it's better than invisibility! Zhang Yuanqing thought of Mr. Bill from the Merchant's Guild, who had recommended to him the "Gatherer's Hat." That hat reduces the wearer's presence, just like the one given by his uncle. "Regarding escape and survival skills, the Void-class professions are unparalleled in today's world. I should collect a high-quality merchant's item, Mr. Chairman. Once we open the treasure chest, I intend to trade the contents for a teleportation or concealment item," said Zhai Cai with eager anticipation. "You didn't say knights' fate is sacrifice, did you?" Zhang Yuanqing seized the opportunity to challenge. "Sacrifice and survival are not mutually exclusive," Zhai Cai replied with a sideways glance. "Your choice of item is entirely up to you, but I'd like to remind you—when you entered the Pan God's labyrinth, you pledged to the saints of the Departed that upon opening the Church's treasury, they would share in its treasures." Zhang Yuanqing said. Zhai Cai smiled gently and chuckled, "No need for your reminder. A knight's promise is as hard as diamond." Yet, the hardest thing in the world is an eighteen-year-old high school student! Well, that's not me—it's the rogue, Pan, who said that. Zhang Yuanqing turned to his uncle. "Let's go." After the two were fully dressed, Uncle pressed firmly against Zhang Yuanqing's shoulder, and this time, Zhai Cai gracefully took hold of the Celestial Sovereign's hand. Together, the three vanished. They appeared outside a magnificent and ancient church. A knight in silver armor stood guard at the church's entrance, while a solemn nun moved swiftly between the buildings. Inside, the Cardinal led the priests in a solemn and reverent prayer. Sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows, illuminating the statue crucified on the cross, which gently bowed its head, gazing with compassion upon the worshippers. The people went about their business with full concentration, completely unaware of the three unexpected guests who had entered the church. The Chairman escorted the two to a prayer room and said, "Bring out the fragments of the Sacred Plate." Zhang Yuanqing produced a fan-shaped copper piece adorned with exquisite relief patterns, while Zhai Cai presented three fragments. Together, they handed them to the Chairman. Mr. Chairman took the four fragments, joined them together, and they adhered firmly to form a complete holy plate. The patterns merged into a fully bloomed lily flower. Holding the holy plate, the deep blue symbols appeared in the eyes beneath his silver mask, as his gaze seemed to penetrate space, searching through the void. After several seconds, he said, "Found!" As he spoke, symbols representing the void flowed from his hands and entered the holy plate. The plate then activated, glowing with a bronze light, emitting electric arcs, and lifting itself into the air, "sealing" into place and spinning rapidly. As the plate rotated, a wind portal appeared in the air—deeply dark within, connecting to an unknown space. Mr. Chairman gently exhaled, "The door is open!" He stepped into the portal first, followed by Zhang Yuanqing and Zhai Cai, who rushed in eagerly. After passing through the wind shaft, the three entered a space of pure darkness. Zhang Yuanqing, who possessed night vision, didn't need light—instead, the lack of oxygen made him feel uncomfortable. Immediately, he removed his Wind-Bringer gloves and, using the wind shaft connecting to the outside world, generated a strong gust of wind that rushed into the space. The air quickly refreshed. The Chairman reached out from the void and retrieved an ancient gas lamp, its yellowish glow illuminating the area. Zhai Cai, gazing at the warm light, estimated the chamber to be approximately one thousand square meters. To their left, the walls were adorned with a series of knightly longswords and staffs of wind and thunder magic, interspersed with weapons from various professions across the first district. This was a wall of displayed weapons. These weapons formed the cathedral's inventory, used for rewarding members, issuing rewards, and trading with other organizations. As Zhai Cai took a step forward, the Chairman remarked, "All of these are extraordinary items." Zhai Cai sighed and withdrew his gaze. To him, extraordinary items were merely like side dishes—useless, especially for a "dispersed cultivator" like himself, who lacked a structured organization. Large organizations could take them and bestow them upon their members. Zhang Yuanqing, on the other hand, opened a stack of bronze boxes standing against the wall. Inside were various defensive items, materials, and medicinal waters that had lost their potency over time. Among these, Zhang Yuanqing noticed silver nails, crosses, and mercury. "Wait a moment," he exclaimed in surprise. "How does the Church possess these?" These items lacked any inherent properties and appeared ordinary. Zhai Cai approached and glanced at them, frowning. "These are specifically used against vampires, yet vampires originated in the medieval period. By the time of the Church, ancient cultivators and monsters had long since vanished—vampires themselves had become mere legends. So, what purpose does the Church have for preparing these supplies?" Certainly, it didn't warrant a deep investigation. The three of them proceeded along the wall, soon reaching the end. At the end, the wall also displayed weapons, though in reduced numbers—only about twenty or so, all of saint-tier quality. The armor and materials inside the boxes were likewise of saint-tier quality. The warehouse manager arranged materials by grade, neatly categorized. The masterpieces, or the semi-divine items they were seeking, were positioned directly across the wall. Yet the three did not hurry. Zhang Yuanqing and Zhai Cai neither collected nor took any items; instead, they quietly noted the quantities and followed the headmaster along the wall, exploring the cathedral's treasure vault. As they turned and walked back along the wall, just a few steps later, they spotted a silver coffin displayed beside the wall. The lid and the seams of the coffin were sealed with molten silver. Additionally, a hexagonal star pattern was painted beneath the coffin—a layout Zhang Yuanqing had seen in the "Thrilling Cruise" quest, known as the cathedral's exorcism array. "This is the Church's Exorcism Array." Zhai Cai clearly recognized it, his brows furrowed as he examined the coffin: "Something seems sealed inside." "The Church has half-gods. What could a half-god not kill, requiring it to be sealed?" Zhang Yuanqing also furrowed his brows, his gaze growing more cautious. Zhai Cai shrugged: "I'd like to know too—why don't we open it up and take a look?" He turned to the ethereal half-god holding the gas lamp.